If you're like me, there are messy corners of your house which sit there ignored and untouched, piling up with stuff and things and items which may "one day be useful/worn". Drawers, undet the bed, in cupboards, the attic, the garage, the shed, under cabinets and every other unused corner available.
Where To Start
When you start to clear these spaces out as a matter of routine, you will be amazed at the difference it makes to your mental health as well as how much easier you find it to keep the home feeling and looking fresh (which in turn makes following the CALM MUMMY METHOD easy and quick as well). No naughty corners = no extra work!
First things first: uncover the corners of your home which have stored or ignored items piled in them and one by one, take everything out and bin, recycle, donate, sell or store somewhere appropriate.
You may like to do one area a week or if you have the time, do a blitz over a weekend!! Whatever suits you.
The funniest thing is that I keep thinking I have sorted all our 'corners of doom' and then I find another one! My hubby tends to hoard things and I love stumbling on a new area to blitz through. I find the whole process very theraputic - seeing the mess all over the floor then slowly, bit by bit, sorted out and put away; it eases my mind once it is all done. A bit like exercise, you can get totally, mentally involved in the job and block out other issues for a little while and at the end, once you have completed a task, it feels great and gives a deep sense of satisfaction.
The Curse Of Stuff
We have so much in the this day and age. Pre-consumerism, people had less. They made their clothes, swapped items, shared and borrowed, bought the food they could afford...there was less to have so their homes were less cluttered. Nowadays, our homes are filled with 'stuff' - and if you haven't yet bought whatever it is you are after, then your mind is stuffed with the ideas of what you think you need or want. This incessant mental shopping trip leads to the old bits and bobs getting lost in the cupboards or attics ,whilst the new shiny things are put on display or used for a while (untill they are replaced with another new 'toy'). This whole cycle makes for a messy mind as well as home.
We can ease this stress by getting rid of unwanted and unused things.
If you are worried about throwing certain things out, then have one storage box and date items you think you may need and place it in the box for 3 months. If you have not needed it in that time then throw it away without another thought. This goes for sentimental things too. Take a photo of art work, keep one book in a set, or one cup from a particuarly sentimental collection of chine, have a special display box for jewellry and keep your photographs in albums. Know where everything is so you can enjoy but after, it can all go back into it's own place.
You can also do good things with your unwanted and unused items which can only add to the sense of peace. Donate to charity or sell the items and give the money to the charity of your choice, save it, buy a gift for a friend, or cook a lovely meal for your partner with the proceedings.
Every item in your home is money you once had...I've had to start thinking more seriously about the money I spend and it's helping to seriously note what I already own and what I really need!! This whole process supports my mental health and anxiety too so give it a go if this is something you feel you may be struggling with.
Next Step
Pinpoint the areas and write a list.
Choose one or two
Have a bag for recycling, selling, donating, friends and throwing away.
Pull everything out
Go through each item and place them into each bag.
If you come across something you are not sure of then have a 3 month box as well. Date the item and place it in the box.
Need any ideas? Let me know!!!
And tag me in your 'corners of doom' on Instagram @the_calm_mummy_method !! We all have them ladies!!!
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